Murder suspect threatens prosecutor in court

Thursday

NEW BEDFORD — A longtime Bristol County prosecutor said Wednesday he will not buckle to threats against his life, made by a 31-year-old man accused of a 2005 murder.

NEW BEDFORD — A longtime Bristol County prosecutor said Wednesday he will not buckle to threats against his life, made by a 31-year-old man accused of a 2005 murder.

Fagbemi Miranda shouted out in New Bedford District Court on Tuesday that he would kill prosecutor Raymond P. Veary Jr. because law enforcement killed his dog.

Police shot Mr. Miranda's pit bull when they arrested him Monday on a murder warrant at his home on Purchase Street.

Mr. Veary was undeterred by the threat.

"It's part of the job," Mr. Veary said. "You make a career decision to prosecute serious assaults and murders and you have to be prepared that some of them will harbor ill feelings towards you."

Mr. Veary said he doesn't know exactly what Mr. Miranda said in District Court, saying he only heard Mr. Miranda shout his name a couple of times, but didn't know what else the defendant said.

Asked how he intends to take the threat, Mr. Veary replied, "Seriously, but I am not going to be distracted by it."

Mr. Veary has been a prosecutor for 22 years, serving under District Attorneys John Tierney, Ronald A. Pina, Paul F. Walsh Jr. and now C. Samuel Sutter.

The assistant district attorney is assigned to "almost exclusively" prosecute violent crimes and homicides, including gang-related offenses.

Mr. Veary spends much of his time urging witnesses to come forward and testify.

"If I am going to persuade people to show the courage and responsibility to stand up against the brutes of our society, then I ought to do the same," he said.

The threats were made after Mr. Miranda was arraigned on a charge of resisting arrest. The suspect, who had to be restrained by court officers, was then quickly removed from the courtroom.

Later that afternoon, Mr. Miranda was arraigned without incident in New Bedford Superior Court on charges of murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and illegal possession of a firearm in the shooting death of Christopher Barros, 25, on Oct. 10, 2005.

His brother, Wayne Miranda, is also charged with murder in Mr. Barros' death. Fagbemi and Wayne Miranda are being held without bail.

Mr. Veary said it is "unfortunate" Mr. Miranda's dog was killed when it allegedly attacked police, but he is not responsible for the dog's death.

"I didn't do anything to his dog," the prosecutor said.

Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for Mr. Sutter, said the threats are being investigated and Mr. Miranda will be charged if a criminal charge is warranted.

"It is being investigated," Mr. Miliote said. "We are taking the matter very seriously. Obviously, no one wants to see prosecutors allegedly being targeted or potentially intimidated. That does not help justice."

The District Attorney's Office has a strong policy regarding intimidation.

"We do not tolerate intimidation or threats of any kind," Mr. Miliote said. "If the facts show that a specific threat was made, we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."

Although Mr. Miliote said he couldn't discuss the facts since the incident is under investigation, investigators plan to review the video and audio tape of the court proceedings.

The District Attorney's Office plans to interview court officers and others who were in the courtroom at the time of the incident.

Mr. Miliote said threatening to do bodily harm carries a 2½-year maximum sentence, and intimidation of a witness is considered a 10-year felony. Both could be lodged as possible charges in the incident.

He said that, although Mr. Veary is not a witness, investigators and prosecutors are included under the intimidation law.

Mr. Miliote said both state and New Bedford police fired shots at Mr. Miranda's dog, and a review is under way to determine which department killed the animal.

Mr. Veary said this is not the first time he has been threatened while prosecuting cases.

"This is part of the job. It's not a welcomed part of the job, but I recognize it's occasionally something that has to be endured," Mr. Veary said.

Mr. Veary had his own practice from 1991 to 2000. When he returned to prosecutorial duties, he noticed the streets were tougher and there was an unwillingness for many witnesses to testify.

"Trying to get people to come forward and get them to recognize their responsibility lies right at the core of what I'm doing in this office," he said.

Contact Curt Brown at cbrown@s-t.com

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.